Man charged in hate-motivated incidents in Toronto’s east end

Toronto police say a man arrested in a hate-motivated incident in York Region is now facing more than a dozen charges in connection with a pair of anti-Islamic hate-motivated events in Scarborough.

Police allege that 28-year-old Sharan Karunakaran visited two Scarborough mosques in the area of Lawrence Avenue East and Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East and Midland Avenue on the morning of April 6.

Investigators say Karunakaran entered the parking lots at both mosques and attempted to hit worshippers and other vehicles before fleeing the scene.

“Following the incidents at the two mosques, the accused travelled to Scarborough Town Centre and entered the mall. While inside the mall, he harassed and threatened several customers, shouting anti-Islamic and derogatory comments,” police said.

Karunakaran was arrested on May 3 and is facing 13 charges including two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle, two counts of assault with a weapon and five counts of criminal harassment.

Karunakaran remains in custody in York Region pending a bail hearing following a separate attack at the Islamic Society of Markham on April 7.

Police say if someone is charged and convicted of an offence motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.